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    Home » Diet » Gluten Free Recipes

    Gluten Free Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs

    Published: Jan 22, 2020 by Wendy Polisi Modified: May 3, 2020 · 749 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

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    If you are looking for a family meal that is simple and delicious, these cheesy Gluten Free Meatballs without Breadcrumbs are just perfect. Made without egg, these meatballs are kid-friendly, keto, and easy to make. You can even finish them in the slow cooker!

    Overhead shot of gluten free meatballs without breadcrumbs served with marinara and zoodles

    Gluten Free Meatballs without Breadcrumbs Deserve to Become a Habit

    I always love this time of year when the weather finally cools off enough that I can enjoy comfort food.

    Does it get any more comforting than Spaghetti and Meatballs?

    Today, I've got Gluten Free Meatballs that the whole family is going to love.

    I promise you won't miss the gluten. Or the eggs!

    The secret weapon? Cheese.

    It is no secret that I love cheese.

    It makes everything better!

    It also helps you skip the eggs and breadcrumbs and still have a gluten free meatball that holds together and is delicious.

    Will Meatballs Fall Apart Without Breadcrumbs?

    Meatballs will fall apart more easily without breadcrumbs. However, you can easily make meatballs without breadcrumbs using the proper method.

    The key is to brown them on the stovetop so that a crust forms and then to fully cook them in the oven before adding them to your sauce.

    Will Meatballs Fall Apart Without Breadcrumbs?

    If you have a slow cooker with a browning function, brown them in the slow cooker and then cover with marinara and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours. 

    Because you are adding the sauce before the meatballs are cooked through, they will be more likely to fall apart using this method.  The key is to make sure that you have a nice brown crust before adding the sauce.

    Variations

    • For spicer breadcrumbs, add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper.
    • Add in ½ cup fresh chopped basil and parsley.
    • Add ½ cup each of chopped onion and mushrooms.
    • Saute 5 ounces of baby spinach. Chop. Press through a fine strainer to remove moisture. Add to the meat mixture.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Serve over zucchini noodles or cooked spaghetti squash.
    • Serve over mashed cauliflower.
    • Use in Meatball Subs.
    • Use to make Meatball Pizza

    Tools to Make Gluten Free Meatballs:

    • Skillet
    • Baking Sheet
    • Bowls

    How to Make Meatballs without Breadcrumbs

    Here is a visual step by step, or you can go to the recipe card to get the complete recipe and measurements.

    1. Combine the ingredients in a large bowl.

    Ground beef, cheese, garlic, and seasonings in a red bowl.

    2. Form your meatballs.

    Baking sheet of meatballs made out on a lined baking sheet.

    3. Cook the meatballs in a skillet until a crust forms.

    Meatballs being browned in a cast iron skillet.

    4. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees until cooked through. (About 15 minutes.)

    Baking sheet of cooked Gluten Free Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs.

    5. Once the meatballs are cooked through you can add sauce.

    Photo of a white plate full of meatballs over a bed of zucchini noodles.
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    • Quinoa Turkey Meatballs are a healthy option that you will turn to again and again.
    • Greek Meatballs with Feta Sauce are the perfect dinner in my book. You are going to want to put this sauce on everything.
    • Slow Cooker Chipotle Meatballs are ridiculously flavor-packed and work just as well as an appetizer as they do for a main course.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    Gluten Free Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs

    If you are looking for a family meal that is simple and delicious, these cheesy Gluten Free Meatballs without Breadcrumbs are just perfect. Made without egg, these meatballs are kid-friendly, keto, and easy to make. You can even finish them in the slow cooker!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 487kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds ground beef
    • 1 ½ cups Asiago cheese aged
    • 2 tablespoon minced garlic more or less to taste
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
    • Avocado oil for cooking
    • Pasta Marinara and Zucchini Noodles for serving

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large bowl combine ground beef, Asiago cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
    • Form into meatballs. (I used a 2 tablespoon measure.)
    • Heat a small amount of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the meatballs, working in batches until browned on all sides.
    • Transfer to a baking sheet, and cook for 15 minutes, until cooked through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 889mg | Potassium: 441mg | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 333mg | Iron: 3.3mg

    More Gluten Free Recipes With Beef to Try:

    • This Keto Meatloaf is cheesy and so delicious! You will want to make it again and again.
    • Ground Beef and Broccoli is a gluten-free and dairy-free meal that never gets old.

    Filed Under:

    Beef RecipesGluten Free RecipesKeto and Low Carb RecipesMain Dish Recipes

    More Gluten Free Recipes

    • Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe
    • Vegetarian Mediterranean Bowl
    • How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Halves in the Instant Pot
    • 25-Minute Ninja Foodi Chicken Breast

    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    Reader Interactions

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      Rating




    1. Claudia Krusch

      November 21, 2017 at 11:38 pm

      These Gluten Free Meatballs look so delicious and easy to make. I am always looking for new gluten free recipes to try. I will have to add this recipe to my meal plan for next week.

      Reply
    2. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle

      November 22, 2017 at 12:54 am

      5 stars
      Those meatballs sound so good! The best thing about these is that they can be used in so many different dishes or just as an appetizer.

      Reply
    3. Bill Sweeney

      November 22, 2017 at 1:05 am

      5 stars
      You know, I didn't know until recently that most meatballs aren't gluten free. I never once thought about the gluten of the breadcrumbs.

      Reply
    4. Danielle

      November 22, 2017 at 1:13 am

      5 stars
      The best thing you can ever put in meatballs is cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. Om nom nom.

      Reply
    5. Becky Willis

      November 22, 2017 at 1:39 am

      This looks very good. I will be sharing this with my friend who has a son who cannot eat items with gluten in them.

      Reply
    6. Victoria Heckstall

      November 22, 2017 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      This really looks delicious! I prefer healthy recipe and this is perfect! I'll have to try this.

      Reply
    7. Ruth I.

      November 22, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      Oh wow! It's interesting to know these cheese facts. I also love cheese and pasta and would like to try this recipe!

      Reply
    8. Cherri Megasko

      November 22, 2017 at 5:36 pm

      Those are two of my favorite cheeses as well. My best friend is gluten-free and I'll be visiting her right after the new year. I'll have to make these for her.

      Reply
    9. Up Run for Life Healthy Lifestyle Blog

      November 22, 2017 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      We love cheese too. My youngest loves spaghetti and meatballs so I ended up buying the ones in the freezer section. I wasn't super impressed but it made my son happy so I was all for it. Your meatballs sound so much better. Plus, who can pass up cheese? 🙂

      Reply
    10. Clara

      November 23, 2017 at 4:02 am

      I have a warm spot in my heart for cheese too. This meatball recipe sounds delicious and I can see myself making it.

      Reply
    11. Elizabeth L

      November 23, 2017 at 2:58 pm

      5 stars
      These look really yummy and I am totally a fan of the fact that they are also Gluten Free.

      Reply
    12. Ricci

      November 24, 2017 at 2:20 am

      These meatballs sound super yummy! I will have to try them for myself soon!! YUM!!

      Reply
    13. GiGi Eats

      November 24, 2017 at 7:09 pm

      Im not sure why people think GRAIN is necessary for meatballs! THEY TASTE AMAZING without bread crumbs!!

      Reply
      • Edna

        November 27, 2017 at 12:35 am

        5 stars
        I think that since years ago ground beef was fatty unlike today. I think the breadcrumbs were to help absorb the excess fat so the balls would not fall apart. The egg was also to give them extra "hold". That's my guess anyway.

        Reply
    14. David Elliott

      November 25, 2017 at 12:07 am

      I will have to try this. I would never have thought of using cheese to put together these meatballs like this. I do think this would make for a delicious meatball though, and you might get a little bit of crunch with it as well.

      Reply
    15. Sues

      November 25, 2017 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      These meatballs look awesome and I love learning a bit more about cheese, too 🙂 The more cheese, the better!!

      Reply
    16. Teri Grottke

      April 19, 2018 at 2:04 pm

      The nutritional information doesn’t say how many meatballs are in a serving. It would be helpful to know this especially because it seems to contain a high amount of fat & sodium as currently listed.

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        April 20, 2018 at 7:13 pm

        That would depend on how big you make them! If you are carefully tracking, weight your meat and divide it into 6 portions and then you will know exactly the nutrients for each. I don't fear good fat, as long as I am having it with vegetables rather than lots of carbs.

        Reply

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